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UFC 273 Highlights: Alexander Volkanovski Is Spectacular And Aljamain Sterling Is Champion For Real

MMA UFC
Ewan Ross Apr 10, 2022 1:54AM

UFC 273 saw the next chapter in an emerging rivalry at bantamweight, and a sparkling performance by the featherweight champion. See that and the rest of the highlights, including a fight of the year contender after the break.

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Alexander Volkanovski def. Chan Sung Jung via TKO (Punches) (Rd 4 0:45)

Alexander Volkanovski might just be the greatest fighter in the world right now. The champion completely destroyed The Korean Zombie, putting forward a perfect performance and winning every second of the fight before getting a mercy stoppage at the start of the fourthround. Volkanovski was simply too quick, too powerful, and too well rounded. If Volkanovski isn't the number one pound-for-pound fighter in the world, I don't know who is.

Aljamain Sterling def. Petr Yan via Split Decision (48-47, 48-47, 47-48)

The rematch of their controversial first bout saw Aljamain Sterling walk away with the title again, only in a fight with slightly less controversy. The fight was very cagy, and saw Sterling control Yan's back for over 7 minutes of the fight, but the times where he wasn't on his back Yan held the balance of the fight. The scores of the fight could've reasonably resulted in a Yan win, a Draw, or the Sterling victory that we saw. We'll eventually see a trilogy bout between the two, but in the mean time, Sterling set up a bout vs TJ Dillashaw.

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Khamzat Chimaev def. Gilbert Burns via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Khamzat Chimaev experienced exactly the type of extremely tough fight you want to see a prospect persevere through to emerge as a top contender. Chimaev and Gilbert Burns went to war in a fight of the year contender, and Chimaev was able to weather the very tough outing from Burns. An oustanding fight that you should go out of your way to see.

Mackenzie Dern def. Tecia Torres via Split Decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)

In a very entertaining fight, Mackenzie Dern emerged victorious over Tecia Torres. The second round featured a very tight kimura attempt from Dern that Torres was able to gut her way through, and nearly come back and get the decision in the third round. Dern remains a highly entertaining breath of fresh air in a sport where alot of fights look highly similar.

Mark Madsen def. Vinc Pichel via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

In a fight that was highly competitive, Mark Madsen was able to secure the takedown early in the third round, and secure top position to get the decision victory over Vinc Pichel. Madsen certainly seemed to be stalling for most of the final round on top, but it was more than enough to get the call.

Ian Garry def. Darian Weeks via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

In a relatively uneventful fight, Ian Garry was able to stay at range and win a kickboxing bout against Darian Weeks. Weeks failed to close the distance, and so Garry was able to out point him, and use his impressive length relatively at ease.

Anthony Hernandez def. Josh Fremd via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

In a relentlessly paced middleweight fight, Anthony Hernandez overwhelmed UFC debutant Josh Fremd with a relentless pace that saw him chain an endless string of chokes. While he couldn't get the finish Hernandez never slowed up, and his cardio is truly something to behold.

Raquel Pennington def. Aspen Ladd via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Raquel Pennington put forth an excellent performance taking the first two rounds vs Aspen Ladd with her aggressive striking, and being able to survive through some lively grappling attempts from Ladd in the final round. Ladd, who fought the whole fight as a southpaw, has now dropped three of her last four, and seems like she's at a crossroads in her career.

Mike Malott def. Mickey Gall via Knockout (Rd 1 3:41)

In an explosive debut, Mike Malott caused Mickey Gall to faceplant with a short left hand. Malott had previously hurt Gall and knocked him down, but after Gall was able to recover and get back to his feet another flush shot to the chin shut out Gall's lights.

Alexey Oleynik def. Jared Vanderaa via Submission (Scarfhold) (Rd. 1 3:39)

In one of the funniest fights you will ever seen, Alexey Oleynik submitted Jared Vanderaa with an old-school scarfhold. Oleynik tried to pull guard, but Vanderaa was able to stuff the attempt and get Oleynik's back, but unfortunately that just brought him into the veteran Russian's world, and eventually he got trapped in one of Oleynik's esoteric submissions. How he keeps being able to do it is baffling. The man is 44 years old, and began fighting in 1996. This fight was extremely hilarious, and was capped off by Vanderaa puking after the submission.

Piera Rodriguez def. Kay Hansen via Unanimous Decision(29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

In a fairly boring grind of a fight that featured alot of grappling, Piera Rodriguez came back to defeat Kay Hansen after dropping the first round. The third consecutive loss for Hansen, which will probably see her exit the UFC.

Julio Arce def. Daniel Santos via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

In an excellent high paced kickboxing match, Julio Arce emerged with the decision victory over Daniel Santos. Arce spent almost all the fight on his back foot, but was able to pick off Santos and consistently get the better of the exchanges. Good appetizer to start the card off.

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